Wayne State University’s Mike Ilitch School of Business will host its Richard H. Austin Lecture Series for Accounting Excellence in the Student Center Building Ballroom on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017. Workshops begin at 10 a.m. and the keynote and luncheon start at noon. The event honors the legacy of Richard Austin, Michigan’s first black CPA and the first African American in the U.S. to be elected to the statewide post of Secretary of State.

Keynote lecture

This year’s keynote speaker is George G. Johnson, who began his career as a Certified Public Accountant in 1966 with Touche Ross (now Deloitte), where he advanced to manager. In 1971, he founded his own firm, George Johnson & Company, by acquiring a practice formed through the merger of several local firms, the oldest of which was established in 1942.

A resident of Detroit, Johnson received his B.S. in accounting and finance from Wayne State, where he also pursued graduate courses in business management. George is licensed as a CPA in Michigan and Illinois.

Workshops

Beginning at 10 a.m. is a series of workshops designed to help students obtain and succeed in accounting careers. The workshops will be led by representatives from accounting firms Deloitte, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Plante Moran, UHY, KPMG, as well as Comerica.

Workshops include:

Professional Etiquette

Panel: Overcoming Challenges as a Minority or Non-Traditional Student in Accounting

10 Key Tips to a Successful Career

Internships: Why You Should Do One and How to Be Successful

Why Choose a Career in Accounting?

Registration

The event is open to all students, alumni and friends of the Mike Ilitch School of Business. There is no cost to attend, but registration is required.

Parking is available at the corner of Palmer and Cass Ave. in Structure #1 for $7. WSU students can use their OneCard. Other guests can use debit or credit card at the Visitors Entrance.

Arranged by the Mike Ilitch School of Business Department of Accounting and sponsored by the Richard H. Austin Lecture Series for Accounting Excellence, the event is designed to promote successful careers in business.